What I Learned From My First Semester of College

I just arrived on campus for my second semester of college. Classes start in a few days, walkways are empty, classrooms are silent, but I am happy to be back.

Since I can remember, I’ve dreamed of what my college years would be like. In many ways, my lived experience has not exactly mirrored the picture in my mind. Truthfully, I am grateful for the unexpected.

I have come to know that college is not supposed to be too easy, nor should it be too hard. My approach has been to be intentional in three key ways:

1. Be patient.

It is normal to question why you chose your school. Every kid faces a different challenge within their first semester, whether that be homesickness, a tough class, or making friends. For me, it was accepting the initial discomfort associated with entering a new chapter. When I looked around, it seemed as though everyone had already established their college lives in just a few short weeks. I wondered what I was doing wrong, when really we were all experiencing the same insecurity and doubt. Some people were just better at hiding it.

I realized the only way to combat this feeling was to reframe my mindset about where I was. My mom urged me to remember myself one year ago, applying to that very institution. I chose my school for a reason. I actively reminded myself of this over and over again. I grounded myself in the promise of my decision. It takes time to acclimate to a new environment, let alone flourish in it. And so, resiliency is key in discovering the potential of a place and your role within it.

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2. Show up. It makes all the difference.

So much of college is unstructured time. Sure, you have a few classes on any given day, but without mandatory attendance it is very easy to lose any sense of routine. For me, the most empowering part of college has been holding myself accountable. Fall semester, I didn’t miss one class. It may seem like a small thing, but professors take note of your presence, even if they don’t begin their lesson with a roll call.

At my small liberal arts college, my largest class was Geoscience 141 with 35 students. Coming from a small high school, this felt huge. And as a prospective humanities major, the course itself intimidated me. From the get-go, I established an open line of communication with my professor to ensure I got the help I needed. Discussing concepts outside of class further solidified my knowledge and helped my professor to understand me as a student. I got the most out of that class because I took the initiative to succeed. Demonstrating a commitment to yourself and your studies will always reflect positively.

3. Say “yes” and stay busy.

The best advice I can give any fellow college student is to stay out of your room as much as possible. Last semester, Tuesdays were my busy day. From 9am to 4:30pm, my day was jam-packed with two classes, a leadership workshop, and a three-hour science lab. No time to retreat to my dorm. Tuesdays quickly became my favorite day of the week. I craved the hustle. I aimed to make every day feel like Tuesday by applying to be a tour guide and an art museum ambassador. These weekly commitments became a tradition for me. I noticed the more I said, “Yes,” the more opportunities arose.

Halfway through the semester, I was finally getting my groove when I received an email from my Latin professor. He asked me if I would tutor another student in our class. At first, I thought he messaged the wrong "Sophie." Throughout high school, Latin was far from my strongest subject. Initially, I wasn’t sure how I could be of aid to someone else when I didn’t feel 100% confident myself. Nevertheless, I said, “Yes,” and by doing so, I realized how much I did know. It sounds corny, but you really do have to believe in yourself first. At the end of the semester, the same professor offered me an internship with the Classics department for winter break. This time I was less shocked because I knew that I could handle it. Success does not happen by accident. Every positive opportunity that comes your way is a product of your hard work, perseverance, and consistency. Saying “yes” gave me the courage to seek out the best for myself and make the most of every moment.